Keywords

South Asian Americans; social determinants of health; cardiovascular health; health disparities; systematic review; disaggregated data

Abstract

Background: South Asian Americans experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease, yet the social determinants contributing to these disparities remain understudied.

Objective: This systematic review examines the role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in shaping cardiovascular outcomes among South Asian Americans.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science using predefined search terms related to South Asian populations, cardiovascular health, and SDOH. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 reporting guidelines, and study screening and management were performed using Covidence. A total of 576 records were identified. After removal of duplicates (n = 205), 371 studies underwent title and abstract screening, 37 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 14 studies met inclusion criteria for final synthesis.

Results: A total of 14 studies were included in the final synthesis. Findings indicate that cardiovascular risk is deeply influenced by psychosocial factors (stress, discrimination), acculturation processes, and structural inequities (socioeconomic status, healthcare access). Neighborhood social cohesion emerged as a significant protective factor, particularly for women.

Conclusion: Addressing these determinants is essential for developing culturally responsive interventions to reduce cardiovascular disparities in South Asian populations

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Wang, Xiaochuan

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Social Work

Thesis Discipline

Public Health

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright